What kinds of treatment does The Nicholls Group offer?

Specific types of treatments have been found helpful for various kinds of conditions/needs. The clinical psychologists at The Nicholls Group have the advanced training and experience necessary to tailor treatment to fit each individual’s needs. Our treatment approaches include cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, family systems, experiential, solution-focused, and play therapies. The Nicholls Group also values education, where our professionals take the time to educate each individual about his/her condition and teach the strategies that can be learned to lessen the impact of the condition. As clinical psychologists, we do not prescribe medications, but we are more than happy to provide referrals and collaborate with physicians.

What are your fees?

Charges are made on the basis of time spent by the professionals in their provision of services. Some services such as initial consultation interviews and therapy services involve charges only for the time spent in face to face contact. Other services, such as evaluations and testing, require time outside of face to face contact, such as might be involved in the scoring and interpretation of administered tests, consultation with other parties, report writing, etc.

The Nicholls Group requests that payment be made at the beginning of the service, in the form of cash, check or credit card. Clients who wish to submit claims for reimbursement of services through their insurance company will be provided with procedure and diagnosis codes to help with this process, however our office does not bill insurance companies directly. Please see the verification of benefits worksheets below for pre-approval codes.

Payments for services that are to be paid for by third parties (such as schools, attorneys, etc.) must be arranged prior to the first appointment.

Our fees vary based on which provider and service is offered, please call our office to receive an estimate of our fees. Phone 480-998-2303

Do you accept insurance?

Our office is fee for service. Therefore we do not submit any claims to insurance and see patients on a private pay basis only. We are happy to provide you with codes necessary for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement or to add the amount towards your deductible.

What should I expect on the first visit?

Our providers typically meet with parents or the patient. The provider will facilitate a conversation in order to get to know you/your child and your concerns, questions/goals, as well as answer any questions or concerns you may have. They will then identify the appropriate next steps, including agreeing on fees associated with an evaluation or the frequency in which you may return for regular visits.

How can I prepare for my appointment?

Potential clients should spend a little time organizing their thoughts and records before their first appointment. Try to write down exactly what your concerns are, any important information about the onset and history of the concerns, when/where/how the concerns affect the individual and their family, and exactly what the best outcome of your visit to The Nicholls Group might be. Try to identify goals you would like to achieve. Gather together any records you may have that would be helpful, including any prior medical, educational or psychological records you may have (but bring copies – leave your originals at home so that they don't get lost!). Identify any individuals whom we should contact for additional information.

How can I prepare if I/my child will be seen for an educational evaluation?

Please bring with you to the initial appointment any past psychological evaluations, IEP or 504 Plans, MET reports, Speech and Language evaluations, developmental history medical records, progress notes, standardized scores, examples of schoolwork and any other information that you think would be useful for your Psychologist to review prior to you or your child's assessment.

Children often feel scared about going to see a doctor. Reassure your child that we are "talking doctors" who don't look in their ears or give shots. Tell your child that they will be doing many different activities such as answering questions, looking at things, building things, and perhaps doing some school work. Explain that parents are typically not allowed to be in the room during testing, but that you will be right outside in the waiting room, and that the child will be able to take breaks and visit with their parents as needed. Allow younger children to bring along a security object or toy with them to the appointment, but try to avoid distracting toys such as video games. Help your child (and yourself) by getting a good night's sleep prior to the appointment, and be sure to eat before the appointment so that you/your child will not be hungry. In most cases, it is best if brothers and sisters stay home or at school during your child's evaluation.

What can I expect if I/my child will be evaluated?

Psychology is the study of behavior, and neuropsychology is the specialty within psychology that focuses on brain-behavior relationships. Our clinical psychologists will listen to your presenting concerns and develop a plan of how to best evaluate, and either provide or recommend treatment for the concerns that are brought to our attention. Evaluations may consist of a face-to-face interview, the completion of certain questionnaires, the gathering of information from other important sources (such as teachers, employers, or other professionals involved with the client), and/or the administration of specific psychological tests.

What kinds of tests may be given?

Our clinicians administer a wide range of intellectual, academic, and neuropsychological tests. Some psychological tests are questionnaires about behaviors and emotions, which are filled out by either the individual or someone who know the individual well. Other tests involve direct activities with the individual and may evaluate his/her attention, memory, problem solving, or many other specific skills.

What if I'm not sure which testing is right for me/my child?

We recommend setting up a one-hour initial interview session with a Psychologist. This will allow you to meet the provider administering the tests and discuss your options. After this appointment you may choose what you feel the next step should be for you or your child. There is NO obligation to go forward with an evaluation after this initial meeting.

How long does therapy have to last?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Some presenting concerns can be addressed in one or two sessions, while others may be more long-term. On average, most treatment plans are no more than 10 sessions. However, we also offer single session consultations to help individuals assess what they need, and then provide appropriate optional referrals based on those needs. In many cases, the time required to implement change depends on the goals established and the client’s willingness to work. Therapy is a process and not a quick fix. It takes time to develop a trusting relationship between the patient and provider. Clients who are actively involved in the psychotherapy change faster than those who take a more passive approach. We ask that parents and loved ones be involved as much as the patient is willing to help promote the therapeutic process. Our providers prefer to meet regularly with parents, sometimes without the patient present, to discuss how they may be of assistance to the process.

When will I receive my written report?

Our office prides itself on getting you in for services in a timely manner. Often we are able to meet back with patients to review the results of an evaluation within 7-10 business days. We try our hardest to give you your written report on the same day but some more comprehensive evaluations may take up to three weeks after feedback to return a report. We hope you understand that our providers want to be sure they are giving you the most thorough report with as many recommendations, referrals and tools that they can offer. We ask for your patience in waiting for your highly anticipated report. A summary of the findings may be provided to another healthcare provider if requested.

What are your office hours?

What is your cancellation policy?

Evaluations: We require 72- business hours for cancellation of all evaluations. If you do not show for your scheduled evaluation, and you have not notified us at least 72 business hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the evaluation.

Therapy: We require 48-business hours for cancellation of all therapy sessions. If your appointment is not cancelled within 48 business hours of your session, we will bill you for the full session.

What are the rules of confidentiality?

The services provided through The Nicholls Group are governed by state law and the ethical principles and code of conduct of the American Psychological Association. We maintain strict confidentiality of information we receive, and as such will not answer questions about our patients over the telephone, unless the identity of the caller can be clearly made. We are happy to share our records with the paitent or their legal guardian, and if that individual signs an authorization of release of information, to a third party. Please find our online authorization form here.

What are the rights of minor clients?

The relationship between the provider and client is confidential. As the parent of a minor client, state law allows you the right to examine your child’s treatment records. However, because we have found these practices to be the most successful in working with minor clients, it is our policy to request an agreement between parents, minor client, and provider, in which parents consent to give up their access to their child’s records. If parents agree, we will provide parents only with general information about the progress of the child’s treatment, unless we feel that the child is in imminent danger, or is a danger to someone else, in which case we will notify you of my concern. Information can only be provided to others through written consent of the client. In the exception of a client being in danger to herself or others, the law states that confidentiality may be broken to insure the safety of all involved.

How can I set up an appointment?

The best way to make an appointment is to call our office. We would be happy to listen to your specific needs and answer any questions you may have about our services and providers. We can help determine if your unique concerns are something we feel competent to address, and will help find the appropriate provider to assist you.